Sobhuza II facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sobhuza II |
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Sobhuza II in 1945
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| Ngwenyama | |
| Reign | 10 December 1899 – 21 August 1982 |
| Coronation | 22 December 1921 |
| Predecessor | Ngwane V |
| Successor | Mswati III |
| Prime Ministers |
See list
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| Born | 22 July 1899 Zombodze, Swaziland (now Eswatini) |
| Died | 21 August 1982 (aged 83) Mbabane, Swaziland (now Eswatini) |
| Spouse | 70+ wives |
| Issue | 210 children |
| House | House of Dlamini |
| Father | Ngwane V |
| Mother | Lomawa Ndwandwe |
Sobhuza II (born 22 July 1899 – died 21 August 1982) was a very important leader of Eswatini, which used to be called Swaziland. He was known as the Ngwenyama, which means 'King'. He ruled for an amazing 82 years and 254 days. This is the longest time any king or queen has ever ruled in recorded history!
Sobhuza was born in Zombodze, Eswatini. His father, King Ngwane V, died when Sobhuza was only four months old. Because he was so young, his grandmother Labotsibeni Mdluli and his uncle Prince Malunge helped lead the country. Sobhuza officially became King in 1921. He led Swaziland to become an independent country in 1968. He continued to be King until he passed away in 1982. His son, Mswati III, became the next King.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Sobhuza was born on July 22, 1899, in Zombodze. He became King of Swaziland on December 10, 1899, when he was just four months old. This happened after his father, King Ngwane V, died.
He went to school at the Swazi National School in Zombodze. He also studied at the Lovedale Institution in South Africa. Before he took on his full duties as King, he also studied about different cultures in England. His grandmother, Labotsibeni Mdluli, was the leader of the country while he was growing up. She officially gave him power on December 22, 1921.
Sobhuza's Time as King
King Sobhuza II ruled for over 60 years, from 1921 to 1982. During this time, he helped Swaziland become independent from the United Kingdom in 1968. After independence, the British government recognized him as the King of Swaziland (now Eswatini).
Early in his rule, Sobhuza worked to fix a big problem: land. The British had divided up the land in 1907, taking some away from the Swazi people. Sobhuza traveled to London to meet with King George V. He asked him to give the lands back to his people. He also took his case to a special British court in 1929. However, he was not successful because of old British laws.
During the time Swaziland was a British protectorate, Sobhuza's role was mostly traditional. But he still had a lot of influence as the leader of the Swazi nation. In 1953, he went to London for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
In the early 1960s, Sobhuza played a big part in helping his country gain independence. He didn't agree with the new government plan that the British suggested. So, he created his own political party called the Imbokodvo National Movement. This party won all the seats in the 1967 elections before independence.
Swaziland became fully independent on September 6, 1968. After this, Sobhuza was very good at mixing old Swazi traditions with new ways of managing the country's economy and society. On April 12, 1973, the King changed the constitution and took full control of the government. He became an absolute ruler. In 1978, a new constitution was made. It brought back more traditional ways of ruling, using local councils called tinkhundla.
The economy of Swaziland did very well under Sobhuza's leadership. Eswatini has many natural resources. During his reign, much of the land and minerals that were owned by people outside Swaziland came back under the control of the Swazi people.
Later Life and Death
In 1981, Sobhuza celebrated his Diamond Jubilee. This marked 60 years since he officially became King. By this time, he had made the King's role as the main decision-maker in his country very strong again. In the early 1980s, King Sobhuza tried to gain control over KaNgwane. This was an area set up by the South African government during Apartheid. He wanted to bring all Swazi people back together.
King Sobhuza II passed away on August 21, 1982, at the age of 83. His official reign of 82 years and 254 days is the longest time any king or queen has ruled in recorded history.
Family and Succession
King Sobhuza was known as the "Bull of Swazi" because he had many children. He followed the traditional practice of having many wives. According to the Swaziland National Trust Commission, King Sobhuza II had 70 wives. They gave him 210 children between 1920 and 1970. About 180 of his children lived past infancy. In the year 2000, 97 of his sons and daughters were still alive. When he died, he had more than 1,000 grandchildren!
When Sobhuza died in 1982, he had chosen Prince Sozisa Dlamini to advise the person who would rule until the next King was old enough. The new King was chosen after Sobhuza's death. If the chosen heir was too young, a regent would rule for them. The first regent was Queen Dzeliwe. But after some changes, she was replaced by Queen Ntfombi.
Queen Ntfombi ruled for her young son, Prince Makhosetive Dlamini. He was chosen to be the next King. Prince Makhosetive Dlamini was crowned King Mswati III in 1986.
Honours
National Honours
Grand Master of the Royal Order of the King Sobhuza II (Kingdom of Swaziland, 1975).
Foreign Honours
Honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire, Civil Division (KBE) (United Kingdom, 1 January 1966). (Hon. CBE: 8 June 1950, Hon. OBE: 11 May 1937).
Supreme Companion of the Order of the Companions of O. R. Tambo [posthumous] (Republic of South Africa, 20 April 2006).
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See also
In Spanish: Sobhuza II de Suazilandia para niños
- Politics of Swaziland
- List of people with the most children
